Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot had completed two previous landings uneventfully and was attempting to land for a third time. Review of airport surveillance video showed that the airplane approached the runway with a significant unarrested rate of descent while in a slightly nose high pitch attitude. The descent continued until the airplane contacted the runway hard, after which the nose landing gear immediately collapsed and the airplane came to stop on the runway. The underside of the airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged during the landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA228 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 26, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fitchburg, Massachusetts
- Nearest airport
- Fitchburg Muni (FIT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna R182
- N-number
- N6287T
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1983
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.